Ulster Scots Academy

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 6 April (WA 219) concerning consultants employed by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, how much has been paid to consultants to date for advice on the proposed Ulster Scots Academy.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the final paragraph of the Answer given on 6 April (WA 219).

Organised Crime Task Force

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What resources are available in Northern Ireland in terms of (a) personnel, and (b) funding to the Organised Crime Task Force and to the Asset Recovery Agency; and whether they intend to increase such resources.

Baroness Amos: The Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) is a coalition of law enforcement and other government agencies, including the Assets Recovery Agency, which is chaired by the Northern Ireland Office Security Minister. Each partner agency of the OCTF, allocates necessary resources, as appropriate, from within general organisational funding to meet agreed OCTF priorities.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 23 April (WA 63) concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, what topics cannot be disclosed under Part 2, paragraph 2 (internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 23 April (WA 63) concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, on what grounds it would be inappropriate to disclose information about the consultation process for the setting of the budget.

Baroness Amos: Paragraph 2 of Part II, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information provides that information about internal discussion and advice is exempt from disclosure if to do so would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion. Information on the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency was withheld for that reason.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure removed the funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency budget for 2004, when a proportion of it was specifically aimed at resolving the annual dispute at Drumcree.

Baroness Amos: The Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure did not remove money from the Ulster-Scots Agency's budget for 2004.

North/South Implementation Bodies: Pension Arrangements for Staff

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why there has been a delay in the creation of a pension arrangement for staff of cross-border implementation bodies; what assurances have been offered to staff; and what legal basis such assurances have.

Baroness Amos: The process of establishing a pension scheme for the North/South bodies has been lengthy due to the number of complex legal and other issues surrounding the unique status of this cross-border scheme, which have had to be actioned and resolved in consultation with a number of stakeholders in both the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
	All staff have been assured that, where they are eligible to join the scheme, membership will be made retrospective to when they joined the relevant body. Benefits which may become due prior to the scheme coming into effect will be calculated and paid on the basis of the draft scheme rules at the time the rights accrue.
	The Government are satisfied that the assurances provide the staff of the North/South implementation bodies with sufficient safeguards pending the implementation of the North/South pension scheme.

Northern Ireland: Gas Industry

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment has been made of Centrica's demand that gas prices be increased by up to 20 per cent in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: The cost to Phoenix Natural Gas of its wholesale gas purchases for the Northern Ireland market is a contractual matter between the company and its supplier. Centrica has not demanded that retail gas prices in Northern Ireland be increased. Phoenix Natural Gas proposed a 20 per cent gas price increase for domestic and small industrial and commercial customers with effect from 1 April 2004, but this was suspended following a meeting with Barry Gardiner on 8 April 2004. Phoenix is continuing negotiations with Centrica about the wholesale gas price.

Northern Ireland: Gas Industry

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What importance they place on maintaining a viable natural gas industry in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: Her Majesty's Government remain committed to promoting the development and maintenance of an efficient, economic and co-ordinated gas industry in Northern Ireland. Financial support has been provided to assist the development of a new gas network infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Gas licensees receive no additional financial support from government and their ability to fund their ongoing activities is monitored by the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation.

Northern Ireland Prison Service: Corporate Plan and Annual Report

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost of producing the Northern Ireland Prison Service's corporate plan and business plan on CD-ROM; and how this compares with the cost of printing and distributing a similar number of paper copies.

Baroness Amos: For several years the Northern Ireland Prison Service has produced its corporate and business plan and annual report and accounts in an e-card format, reducing the number of hard copies to be printed.
	This year we printed 300 hard copies of the 2004–07 corporate plan at £8.50 per copy. This compares with a unit cost of £4.50 for producing 600 copies of the same report in an e-card format. 1
	The majority of our distribution list for this publication now receive the report in an e-card format.
	1 These figures are based upon quotation—final invoice not yet received.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 10 May (WA 2), what are the tourist priorities identified by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for attention over the next three years; and on what basis they were selected.

Baroness Amos: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board's (NITB) strategic framework for action will drive the tourism agenda for the next three years and will provide a focus and impetus to the growth and delivery of tourism to all areas of Northern Ireland.
	In line with NITB's corporate plan, the framework's target is to increase visitor tourism revenue by 6 per cent every year, visitor numbers by 7 per cent every year and to increase Northern Ireland's share of visitors to the island of Ireland.
	The priorities identified are the outcome of a comprehensive review of tourism which started in 2000 and have been agreed following a sustained period of consultation with industry colleagues, strategic partners and a range of stakeholders.
	These priorities are consistent with the strategic marketing plan for the island of Ireland and focus on those aspects of the Northern Ireland visitor experience that have the greatest capacity for international "stand out". A steering group made up of key industry partners oversaw the preparation of the framework.

Belfast City Centre

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 10 May (WA 126) concerning Belfast City Centre, when the business case referred to was supplied to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Baroness Amos: The business case was supplied to the department on 22 April 2004.

Special European Union Programmes Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 May (WA 35–37), concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, how much funding each successful applicant in tables 1 and 2 received.

Baroness Amos: The information requested is provided in the tables below. Table 1 details the amounts allocated to projects under Measure 4.1, and table 2 details the allocations under Measure 5.2 of the Peace II Programme:
	
		Table 1
		
			  
			 Organisation Project Title Total Award (£) 
			 Donegal County 
			 Council 
			  Donegal Tourism 
			 Research 
			 Programme 
			  39,296 
			 Donegal County 
			 Development Board 
			  Forest Link 
			  231,690 
			 North West Food 
			 Consortium 
			  North West Food 
			 Network 
			  105,592 
			 FAS 
			  The Messines Peace 
			 Networks 
			  105,662  
			 Table 2 
			
			 Co-operation and 
			 Working Together 
			  CAWT: Promoting 
			 Healthy Minds for 
			 a Healthy Future 
			  251,681 
			 Fisheries 
			 Conservancy Board 
			  Reinstatement of 
			 the Weir at 
			 Cullaville South 
			 Armagh 
			  49,930 
			 Co-operation and 
			 Working Together 
			  CAWT: 
			 Acknowledging the 
			 Past and Building 
			 on Peace 
			  650,817 
			 Cavan County 
			 Council 
			  Breifne Mountain 
			 Region 
			  1,166,315 
			 Dungannon Borough 
			 Council 
			  South Tyrone- 
			 Donegal Exploring 
			 Diversity Together 
			  275,528 
			 Blackwater 
			 Reconciliation 
			 Partnership 
			  Blackwater 
			 Reconciliation 
			 Partnership 
			  152,810 
			 FAS 
			  North-West 
			 Cross-border Public Sector 
			 Co-operation on 
			 Teleservicing and 
			 Customer 
			 Relationship 
			 Manage 
			  394,220 
			 Derry City Council 
			  Promoting equal 
			 opportunities—a 
			 bridge to peace and 
			 reconciliation 
			  240,717 
			 Co Monaghan VEC 
			 (on behalf of North 
			 South Education 
			 Forum) 
			  Diversity of 
			 Learning Needs— 
			 Education for All 
			  208,230 
			 Confederation of 
			 European 
			 Councillors (NI/RoI) 
			  NI/RoI Councillor 
			 Co-operation 
			  174,500 
			 County Sligo VEC 
			 and Western 
			 Education & Library 
			 Board, N Ireland 
			  Building Towards 
			 Sustained Youth 
			 Sport 
			  208,451 
			 Marine & Water 
			 Leisure Programme, 
			 Donegal County 
			 Council 
			  Integrated Pilot 
			 Project in Beach 
			 Management— 
			 Rural Activity 
			 Beaches 
			  541,694 
			 ERNACT EEIG 
			  Crossborder 
			 ePublic Services— 
			 Phase 1 
			  170,944 
			 Irish Central Border 
			 Area Network 
			  Rural roads 
			 infrastructure and 
			 tourism project 
			  2,580,282 
			 Probation Board for 
			 Northern Ireland 
			  Crime Reduction in 
			 Ireland through 
			 Positive Impact on 
			 Communities 
			  387,227 
			 DRD Road Service 
			 Headquarters 
			  A509 
			 Improvements 
			  550,000 
			 DRD—Roads 
			 Service Headquarters 
			  A1/N1 Newry to 
			 Dundalk Link 
			 Road— 
			 Engineering 
			 Services Phase II 
			  180,000 
			 Craigavon Borough 
			 Council 
			  Scoping Study for 
			 the Railway 
			 Corridor area 
			  30,000 
			 Western Education 
			 and Library Board 
			  Cross Border 
			 Mobile Library 
			 Project 
			  327,959 
			 North South 
			 Ministerial Council 
			  Shared Electronic 
			 Workspace for the 
			 North/South 
			 Ministerial Council 
			 Joint Secretariat 
			  42,254 
		
	
	The information provided above is based on the most recent download from the central database dated 18 March 2004, and includes only those applications registered at that date. The central database is live and dynamic and depends on various funding bodies to provide and update the information. The total award shown is in pounds sterling using an exchange rate of £1 = 1.42 euros.

Northern Ireland: Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the distinctive character of individual schools will be preserved if the Costello report into education is implemented in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: All schools in Northern Ireland have their own individual and distinctive ethos and character. The new post-primary arrangements will seek to build on these and will create greater flexibility so that schools can develop or enhance their own distinctive character.

Northern Ireland: Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What will be the cost of the implementation of the Costello report into education in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: The shape of future post-primary arrangements will emerge from discussions involving schools and managing authorities at local level. It is not therefore possible to provide an overall assessment of cost at this point. Additional resources will be required and these will be matters which Ministers will consider as part of this year's spending review.

Northern Ireland: Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the event that the Costello report into education is implemented, how parents will be able to exercise a choice if, when schools are over-subscribed, the final decision for the placement of a child at secondary school could depend on a postcode or random computer selection.

Baroness Amos: Currently, over-subscribed schools use admissions criteria to determine who will be admitted. Many schools already use distance or random selection as their final criterion. No decisions have yet been taken on the admissions criteria to be used under the new arrangements and the aim is to have proposals available for consultation by the end of this year.

Northern Ireland: Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the event that the Costello report into education is implemented and a system of multi-institutions is established, how schools will be able to exercise responsibility for the welfare and safety of pupils while they are travelling to, or receiving lessons at, other locations.

Baroness Amos: Many schools and further education colleges have experience of these issues from the key stage 4 flexibility arrangements. Pupil safety and welfare are of prime importance and will be examined further as part of the pilots on school/further education collaboration in the coming school year.

Sudan (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2004

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Sudan (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2004 does not prohibit the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of restricted goods.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Sudan (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2004 was made to implement the Overseas Territories Common Position 2004/31/CFSP adopted by the European Union. The common position, inter alia, provides that it shall be prohibited to grant, sell, supply or transfer technical assistance, brokering services and other services related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in, Sudan. Implementation of this obligation was inadvertently omitted from the order. The Government will be amending the order as soon as possible.

Cyprus: Direct flights to UK

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that the Turkish Cypriots have voted to accept the Annan plan, whether they will permit without delay direct flights between northern Cyprus and United Kingdom airports.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government believe steps should be taken as quickly as possible to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. On 26 April 2004, the General Affairs and External Relations Council invited the European Commission to "bring foward comprehensive proposals, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island [of Cyprus] and on improving contact between the two communities and with the EU". We look forward to seeing these proposals. We are considering these issues too and see significant benefits in direct links between the northern part of Cyprus and other parts of the EU if this can be done in a safe and effective way, respecting the legitimate concerns and interests of all involved.

Cyprus: Students

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, given that the Turkish Cypriots have voted to accept the Annan plan, they will extend to Turkish Cypriot students access to education in the United Kingdom on the same basis and at the same cost as that extended to Greek Cypriot students.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: All Cypriots are EU citizens. The whole island joined the EU on 1 May. However, the acquis was suspended in the north of the island.
	Any Cypriot with a Republic of Cyprus passport has the same right to education in the United Kingdom on the same basis and at the same cost as that extended to Greek Cypriot students.

Iraq: Police Training

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to train the Iraqi police in the United Kingdom zone in crowd control and the minimum use of force, especially as regards firearms.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Crowd Control
	Extensive training and equipping is taking place to ensure the Iraqi Police Service (IPS) is able to deal effectively with public disorder in the region under UK area of responsibility. Specifically:
	4,519 Iraqi police have attended the transitional integration programme (TIP) which includes civil defence training.
	60 specially selected IPS trainers have been trained by a senior Police Service of Northern Ireland officer in public order tactics. Tactics taught include containment, dispersal, tactics against firearms, blast bombs and petrol bombs.
	The course also taught peaceful crowd control.
	300 members of the Basra tactical support unit have now been trained by the Iraqi trainers, validated by the UK police officers.
	Baton guns are on order to provide a non-lethal method of crowd control. These tactics will be taught to enable the IPS to avoid indiscriminate use of firearms as a method of crowd control.
	1,000 sets of riot control clothing and equipment will shortly be issued to the IPS.
	Minimum use of Force
	The norm of minimum use of force has run through all training being delivered in the region. Specifically:
	Prior to January 2004 UK military provided training in arrest and search techniques based on minimum force.
	Since then 4,519 Iraqi police have attended the transitional integration programme course—the use of force is covered during the course as well as other human rights training.
	Firearms
	Extensive firearms training, and weapons handling has been taught by the UK military and police. Specifically:
	Prior to January 2004 military training was provided for firearms and weapons handling.
	Since January 2004 4,519 Iraqi police have attended the transitional integration programme which incorporates 40 hours of firearms training carried out by the UK civilian police. More recently the Czech military have continued to provide firearms training independent of TIP.
	Coalition forces have also coached, mentored and more recently shadowed IPS at public disorder incidents, firearms incidents and arrests to continue to ensure minimum use of force is a norm of IPS operations.
	On the basic recruit course in Jordan and Baghdad delivered over an eight-week period, the training incorporates the following:
	40 hours' hands-on firearms training including live fire and classroom work.
	Eight hours' civil disorder training.
	40 hours' use of force training.
	In addition, training for the national Civil Intervention Force is about to start in Baghdad and Egypt.
	Specific needs regarding public order training are currently being assessed in order to tailor a five-week UK-based training package due to start in summer 2004. This will build on the basic training delivered to date.

Iran: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will include in their critical dialogue with Iran the cases of Mr Ahmad Batebi, a student serving a 15-year sentence in Evin Prison, and of Mr Arzhang Davoudi, imprisoned following a brief meeting with Mr Batebi.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have serious concerns about human rights violations in Iran and individual human rights cases form an important part of the EU-Iran human rights dialogue. We continue to monitor the cases of these two men very closely.

Iran: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are making representations to the Government of Iran following the execution of two members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, Mr Jahil Zeivai on 4 December 2003 and Mr Ramin Sharifi on 6 December 2003, the latter allegedly without trial.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have serious concerns about the use of the death penalty in Iran, and the treatment of members of Iran's ethnic minorities, including the Kurds. The EU has raised these concerns with the Iranian authorities through the EU/Iran Human Rights Dialogue. We have not made representations about the cases of Mr Zeivai and Mr Sharifi, for which we do not have independent corroboration.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What weight they attach to the identification by the United Nations of Darfur as "the world's worst humanitarian crisis"; and whether they will set out their policy in relation to human rights violations by the Janjaweed militia in this province of Sudan.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government are fully seized of the seriousness of the situation and the Department for International Development has committed over £16.5 million in response to the crisis.
	Our priority has been to stop the fighting, so we are urging the parties to ensure their full compliance with the 8 April ceasefire agreement. For the Sudanese Government, this includes neutralising the Janjaweed. My right honourable friends, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development, and my honourable friend the Minister for Africa (Chris Mullin), made clear to the Sudanese Foreign Minister when he visited London on 11 May that the Sudanese Government needed to act now to rein in the Janjaweed. Quick deployment of the African Union-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism is also key, as we expect it to have a positive impact on the security situation and in particular the protection of civilians. Should the Sudanese Government fail to take these steps, we will need to consider with all partners what further pressure can be brought to bear. We, and our EU partners, have made clear that all alleged attacks should be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.

Olympic Games 2004

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Olympic Advisory Group on security planning believes the Greek Government is doing everything possible to ensure a safe and secure Olympic Games in Athens.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Since its inception in 2000 the Olympic Advisory Group (OAG) has been advising and offering training to the Greek Government in connection with its security preparations for the Olympic Games. The UK is a member of the OAG; the others are the US, Australia, Germany, France, Spain and Israel.
	The UK is satisfied that the Greeks are working hard towards the goal of ensuring that the Games will take place in a safe and secure environment. Greece is spending over £500 million on security alone.

Olympic Games 2004

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How United Kingdom experts were involved in training some 2,000 Greek officials involved with the Olympic Games over the past three years.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: UK officials have been giving security-related training to Greek officials to help Greece with its preparations for the Olympic Games. Much of this has been co-ordinated through the Olympic Advisory Group (OAG). Some of the training was specifically requested by the Greek authorities and some was proposed by UK officials and the officials of other OAG countries.
	It is difficult to provide exact numbers but collectively the OAG has delivered and been involved in over 100 training courses, workshops, seminars and other events.

Olympic Games 2004

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are confident that adequate security measures will be in place to ensure full protection to the Prime Minister and visiting dignitaries in Piraeus harbour during the Athens Olympic Games.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We do not discuss the details of security arrangements for visits overseas by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1(a) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which covers information whose disclosure would harm national security.

Olympic Games 2004

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider NATO's offer of maritime and AWACS reconnaissance, the work of the Athens Organising Committee, the priority afforded to security by the Greek Government, and the contribution made by the United Kingdom-led seven-nation Olympic Advisory Group, are adequate to ensure protection to athletes, visiting dignitaries and residents of Athens in the run-up to, and for the duration of, the Olympic Games.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Greek authorities and their international partners, including those in the Olympic Advisory Group and NATO, are all working hard to help to ensure that the Games take place in a safe and secure environment. However, for reasons I am sure you will understand, we do not comment in detail on security matters. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1(a) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information, which covers information whose disclosure would harm national security.

Iraq: British Embassy Site

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the future of the old embassy compound in Baghdad following the completion of the new embassy; and whether they will consider its use for housing cultural organisations, such as the British Council and the British School of Archaeology in Iraq, which have been maintained in Iraq by European nations, including the United Kingdom.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is too soon to say if the old embassy site could be made available to the British Council or other organisations. The security situation remains too insecure to reoccupy. We shall keep the future of this site under review.

Religious Discrimination

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to introduce legislation to forbid religious discrimination beyond the employment field, so as to match the protection given by the Race Relations Act.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: While the Government's mind is not closed to such a possibility, we have no current plans to do so. The provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act in relation to freedom of religion already provide some protection for religious communities. The coming into force of the Article 13 regulations in December has provided new protection against religious discrimination in employment and training.
	For the future, the Government are progressing the equalities agenda by working towards the creation of a single equalities body in 2006. Faith equality will be included within the body's remit and the White Paper Fairness for all: A new Commission for Equality and Human Rights published on 12 May sets out how the Government intend to support the new equality strands including religion and belief. Representatives from the new strands will be fully involved in the preparatory work for the new body and the establishment of the CEHR will, for the first time, provide institutional support for the new discrimination regulations on religion and belief in employment. In the run-up to the establishment of the new commission and in the first years of its operation, particular attention will be paid to the new strands.

Loudhailers: Use in Public

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether human rights legislation prevents government and local authorities banning or restricting the use of loudhailers in public: what is the nature and scope of such restrictions as may be permitted by the legislation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is legislation in place to restrict the use of loudhailers in public. Section 62 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 governs the use of loudhailers in the streets, and prohibits their use between 9.00 pm and 8.00 am.
	There is also a City of Westminster by-law, which makes it an offence to cause or permit to be made any loud or continuous noise by operating an amplifier or similar instrument, after being warned to desist by a constable.
	The Government believe that this legislation is compliant with the right to freedom of expression and assembly under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The right to freedom of expression is not absolute and the rights of others not to be subjected to noisy protests must be taken into account. The legislation finds an appropriate balance between these conflicting rights.

Firearms

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With reference to the table on page 30 of their consultation paper Controls on Firearms, published in May 2004, how many of the recorded crimes in each year and each category were committed with registered handguns, rifles or shotguns.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Details of the legal status of firearms used in recorded crimes are not generally available, but it is thought that most, if not all, will be illegally held.

A23: Fatal Accident

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the accident on the A23 on 16 May in which eight people were killed:
	(a) how many people were arrested;
	(b) whether the scene was declared a "scene of crime" by the police;
	(c) how many days the road was closed to traffic;
	(d) whether they will set up a public inquiry into the cause of the accident and make recommendations;
	(e) whether an immediate speed limit of 50 miles per hour was imposed, enforced by speed cameras, on this and other roads of similar design and traffic intensity, pending the report from the public inquiry;
	(f) whether the police will investigate whether the infrastructure manager may be guilty of corporate manslaughter;
	(g) whether they will treat the road safety issues arising from the accident in a similar manner to a railway accident.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Following inquiries to the Highways Agency and Sussex Police, I understand that the position is as follows:
	(a) There were no arrests following the incident.
	(b) Sussex Police did declare the site a "scene of crime". This is the practice with all incidents involving a road death, and subsequent investigations are carried out in accordance with the guidelines set out in the road death investigation manual prepared by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
	(c) The road was closed for 15 hours and 15 minutes.
	(d) It is too early to say if there will be a public inquiry. The police will however prepare a comprehensive report for the coroner of West Sussex.
	(e) No immediate speed limit of 50 mph was imposed. At present the Highways Agency does not intend to reduce the speed limit to 50 mph, enforced by safety cameras, on this and other roads of similar design and traffic intensity.
	(f) The police investigation will include the actions and responsibilities of all individuals and organisations.
	(g) The Highways Agency has already commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to investigate this incident.

Iraq: Depleted Uranium

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following recent reports concerning the radiation contamination from depleted uranium shells of United States troops serving in Iraq, what checks for radiation contamination are being undertaken by British service personnel; and what is their estimate of the number of British and Iraqi service personnel and civilians who may be similarly contaminated.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence policy is to offer biological monitoring to all military personnel and MoD civilians on operations where depleted uranium was used. These personnel are offered a test for total uranium in the urine followed by a test for uranium isotopes in the urine if the test for total uranium gives anomalous results. The isotope test determines whether the uranium is depleted. The isotope test is offered straight away if personnel are known to have been exposed to DU or there is a high probability that they have been exposed. So far just under 300 personnel have taken up this offer and have been tested. Of those, only a small number have been found to be excreting DU in their urine. These are personnel who were involved in blue-on-blue incidents and have shrapnel injuries.
	There is currently no way of reliably estimating the number of Iraqi civilians or service personnel who have been exposed to DU.

MoD and Environmental Tectonics Corporation

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 4 May (WA 97) concerning the settlement between Environmental Tectonics Corporation and the Ministry of Defence on the Royal Air Force Centrifuge, how much has been received by the Ministry of Defence in compensation.

Lord Bach: Under the terms of the mediated settlement on the Royal Air Force Centrifuge, the Ministry of Defence has received no compensation from Environmental Tectonics Corporation.

Defence Industries Council

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What mechanisms exist to communicate the deliberations of the Defence Industries Council to the rest of the defence industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

Lord Bach: The Defence Industries Council (DIC) is an industry body whose purpose is to represent the interests of the UK defence industry. The DIC is supported by four trade associations—the Society of British Aerospace Companies, Intellect, the Defence Manufacturers Association and the Society of Maritime Industries. The method of communication with its members is a matter for the DIC. The DIC meets formally with the Government at the National Defence Industries Council, which normally meets twice a year.

Road Surfaces

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what date they expect (a) all of Britain's motorways, and (b) all of the dual carriageway sections of Britain's non-motorway standard trunk roads, to have been surfaced or resurfaced with noise-deadening materials.

Lord Davies of Oldham: As indicated in the Government's 10-year transport plan, quieter surfaces should be installed on over 60 per cent (2,500 miles) of the English strategic road network (motorways and trunk roads), including all concrete stretches by April 2011, subject to the availability of funds. Carriageways are being resurfaced with quieter materials as maintenance becomes due to keep them in a safe and serviceable (available for use) condition. However, where concrete carriageways will not require maintenance by April 2011, their resurfacing is being prioritised to address those locations where the most homes are affected by traffic noise first. In addition, quieter surfaces will be used in all new major junction improvements, bypasses and road widenings. On the basis of current maintenance expectations for the strategic road network, nearly all dual carriageway sections should be resurfaced by around 2015.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they antipicate that work on the East London Line extension will be completed before the 2012 Olympic Games; and, if so, what is the proposed timetable; and
	Whether Crossrail can now be expedited to be ready for a 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The 2012 Olympic bid does not and never has assumed Crossrail. A robust transport solution for the Olympics can be delivered without Crossrail.
	On Crossrail, my right honourable friend is currently considering Adrian Montague's findings, which will be published in due course.
	The Strategic Rail Authority has puts its procurement proposals for the East London Line project to the department. The proposals raise a range of important issues that will need to be considered carefully in the context of the spending review later this year. No timetable has been set for the completion of works.

Fire Investigation Officers: Powers

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in pursuance of their powers to investigate the causes of fires, authorised officers as defined in the Fire and Rescue Services Bill will collect data on the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream of persons injured in fires; and how the procedures for doing so are to be defined.

Lord Rooker: The Fire and Rescue Services Bill would give no power to fire investigation officers to take samples of body fluids from any person.

Gunpowder Plot: 400th Anniversary

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot.

Lord Filkin: The Government have no plans to celebrate this anniversary. However, officials within Parliament are planning an exhibition to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot which will be held in Westminster Hall between July and December 2005. The purpose of the exhibition will be to provide a serious and dispassionate introduction to the plot in a location central to the actual scene of the historical events. It will seek to engage the interest of the public in parliamentary history and with the work of Parliament. Some of the national museums and galleries will also be participating in this initiative, and mounting displays of their own material in connection with the quater-centenary.

Export Credits Guarantee Department: Power Projects

Lord Dixon-Smith: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many electricity power stations fuelled by coal have been constructed since 1990 or are under construction by British construction firms in overseas countries using funding guaranteed by the export credit guarantee system; and
	How many electricity power stations fuelled by oil have been constructed since 1990 or are under construction by British construction firms in overseas countries using funding guaranteed by the export credit guarantee system; and
	How many electricity power stations fuelled by natural gas have been constructed since 1990 or are under construction by British construction firms in overseas countries using funding guaranteed by the export credit guarantee system; and
	What is the annual or estimated annual emission in tonnes of carbon dioxide by coal-fired power stations constructed since 1990 or under construction whose funding was guaranteed by the export credit guarantee system; and
	What is the annual or estimated annual emission in tonnes of carbon dioxide by oil-fired power stations constructed since 1990 or under construction whose funding was guaranteed by the export credit guarantee system; and
	What is the annual or estimated annual emission in tonnes of carbon dioxide by gas-fired power stations constructed since 1990 or under construction whose funding was guaranteed by the export credit guarantee system.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: ECGD only has readily available information for those power projects for which guarantees have been issued since 1997. It would not be possible to obtain the details of projects from 1990 to 1996 except at disproportionate cost.
	The table below shows the number of fossil fuel power stations supported by ECGD since 1997 and their approximate annual carbon dioxide emissions upon completion.
	
		
			 Fuel Type Number of Power Stations ECGD Estimated Capacity (MW) CO2 (Tonnes per year) 
			 Coal 11 11,260 40.6 million 
			 Oil 8 1,020 2.2 million 
			 Gas 9 4,707 7.6 million 
			 Total 28 16,987 50.4 million 
		
	
	It has been assumed the plants operate for 60 per cent of the time (5,256 hours per year). CO2 emissions are calculated using the following conversion factors—Coal: 0.687 tonnes of CO2 per MW per hour, Oil 0.417, Gas: 0.309. These are taken from The Greenhouse Gas Protocol website (www.ghgprotocol.org) and are the 1999 average values for power plants in "Economies in Transition". These are the markets where ECGD most commonly provides guarantees.
	It should be noted that for most large power projects ECGD is only one of several finance providers. Scaling the carbon dioxide emissions by the proportion of finance guaranteed by ECGD would give a figure of less than 20 million tonnes per year of carbon dioxide that is directly attributable to ECGD's participation.

Medical Research Council: Collaboration with Agrochemical Companies

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which agrochemical companies, if any, are currently collaborating with the Medical Research Council (MRC) in any of its activities under the MRC Technology Strategic Plan to work with industry.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The MRC currently has one formal collaborative arrangement with an agrochemical company. This is between DuPont Crop Protection and a team at the MRC Functional Genetics Unit in Oxford. The purpose of this collaboration is to use the nematode worm (C.elegans) as a model system for identifying and validating the target genes of new insecticide lead compounds.

DrugScope

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 11 May (WA 32) whether DrugScope had received any funding other than government grants; and if so, what were the sources of such funding.

Lord Warner: We do not have information on any non-government sources of funding which DrugScope may have received.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the total costs of operating the North Yorkshire air ambulance service in the past four years; and what proportion of that cost can be attributed to the attendance at accidents caused by speeding motorcyclists.

Lord Warner: The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity and the information requested is not collected centrally.